Chapter 11

Ava

When I step out of the bathroom, I'm buzzing with excitement. I'm also freaking out on the inside.

Roman wants me. He wants me for more than sex, more than just a few nights of fun. Is this even real?

Could this even work?

God, I really want this to be true.

It might have only been a few days, but I feel more connected to Roman than any man I've ever been with. The idea of being with someone else after him holds no interest for me, and the idea of him being with another woman after me sends me into a blind panic.

Call me foolish, call me young, but I'm utterly ruined for anyone who isn't Roman Knight.

Before this week, it was a crush. A very intense, unhealthy one, but now? Now that I've had his hands on my body, his tongue on my flesh, it's so much more than that.

I'm addicted to him, and I don't think I'll ever stop.

Who knows where our future will take us, but I don't want to look back ten years down the line and wonder about all the what-ifs.

Patting down my dress one last time, I head over to the table. Tasha looks up at me with a glassy smile, and guilt hits me.

I hate lying and sneaking around behind my best friend's back. I should tell her— we should. But if we do and she freaks out, I'll lose Roman for good. Because I know that man, and if he had to choose, he would pick his daughter.

And as much as it would crush me, I wouldn't expect anything else from him. He's a good man, a good dad.

"There you are. I was wondering if you got lost," she teases with a giggle. My brows raise as I cast a look at Roman. His lip twitches as he looks back at his daughter.

I take a seat and take in my best friend. "Are you drunk?"

"Me?" she scoffs. "Nooo... okay, maybe just a little." She giggles some more, grabbing her drink. She's a little clumsy, though, and it sloshes around. "Oops." She brings it to her lips and takes a long drink. "God, this is so good. You can't even tell there's two shots in this!"

"Two." I blink a few times. "Tasha, girly, how many have you had?"

Her brows scrunch in thought. "Ahh..." She lifts her hand and holds up three fingers. "Five."

"Oh god." I bite my lips together, holding back a laugh.

"Alright, honey, I'm cutting you off for the night."

She shoots Roman a glare. "You're not my dad." Roman's brow lifts. "Oh, wait a minute, yeah, you are." Tasha bursts out laughing like it's the funniest thing in the world.

Roman shakes his head, grinning. "I'm going to go pay the bill. Be right back." He shoots me a wink that Tasha doesn't see. "And you, stay here." He stands up and leans over, kissing Tasha on the top of her head before heading towards the front.

"He's a good dad." Tasha sighs, dropping her chin in the palm of her hand. "I just wish he would find someone, you know? Someone who's worthy of him. Someone he can love, who loves him and takes care of him. He hasn't ever really been in a relationship before. He needs someone who's sweet, kind, and has a good head on their shoulders." Her eyes light up. "Someone like you!" My heart pounds in my chest as I swallow a hard lump. "But... like, not you. Because that would be so weird." She scrunches up her nose. "My best friend and my dad?" She shudders as if it's the most disgusting thing she's ever heard. "Gross. No, thank you."

Dread fills me, and I'm hit with the overwhelming need to cry. She just crushed my heart, and doesn't even realize it.

Roman comes back, a bright, handsome smile on his face. "Alright, ladies. Let's get out of here, shall we?"

I do my best to put on a fake smile and nod. "Come on, Tasha. Let's get your drunk-ass home."

"Fiiiine," she whines. "But let me finish my drink." She grabs for it, but Roman snatches it away before she can.

"I think you've had enough," he chuckles. She pouts up at him but lets him pull her to her feet. I follow after, the feeling of dread growing heavy in my stomach.

Jeremy is waiting out front when we get outside. Roman helps her into the back seat, and I follow after. I give him a small smile which he returns, and it has my heart breaking even more. He doesn't notice as he closes the door and gets into the front.

Tasha is out cold the moment we pull out onto the highway, her head on my shoulder as she snores softly. I look out the window, chewing on my bottom lip as my mind races.

Roman seems so sure of us being a thing now. But the moment Tasha tells him no, he's going to break my heart.

Who was I fooling? Thinking I could actually be with Roman. He's rich, older, and my best friend's dad.

I shouldn't have agreed to this week. I should have turned away and gone home when I saw who was behind that hotel door.

Yet, even though I know I'm going to be hurt over this for a while, I don't regret it. I can't bring myself to. The past few days with Roman have been amazing. No, better than; they were everything.

He makes me feel sexy, cherished, and wanted. I'll never forget the feeling of being able to bring a man like him to his knees, just for me, while having him look at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

What do I do now? I should tell him what Tasha said. But if he knows what she thinks of us being together, he would end things right on the spot.

I'm not worth putting things at risk between him and his daughter. I'd never be able to live with myself or look him in the eye, knowing I caused so much hurt.

The car pulls up to our apartment, and Roman gets out, holding the door open for me. I get out, not making eye contact and let him grab Tasha.

"Come on, sweetheart." He wraps his arm around her waist, holding her up.

"I was sleeping," she mumbles.

"I know," he chuckles. "You can sleep once we get you into your bed."

Rushing ahead, I open the door for them, then head for the elevator to do the same. We stand there in awkward silence. I can feel Roman's eyes on me, but we say nothing, not wanting to risk Tasha overhearing.

Why do I feel like crying? I haven't lost him. At least not yet. And maybe I won't.

It feels like a lifetime before the elevator dings. I rush out and head towards our door, digging the key out of my purse. With fumbling hands, I will my heart to relax and my hands to stop shaking as I stick the key into the lock.

"Thanks," he tells me as he steps inside with her.

"Get her to the bed, and I can handle the rest." He gives me a look like he wants to say more but nods.

He's been here before, so he knows which room is hers.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I put my things on the counter and wait until he comes back out. "She's sleeping, snoring away," he chuckles. I give him a forced smile that he sees right through. "Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine. Just tired." He steps closer to me, wrapping me in his arms. I don't have the heart to step away, to tell him no, because god, I love his touch.

"Thanks for coming tonight." He chuckles at the double entendre. "And for helping me get her home safely." He pulls back enough to brush some of my hair behind my ear, looking me in the eyes. "Come back to my hotel with me?"

I want to say yes, to go back there and have an amazing night of pleasure with the man I adore.

"I really should stay here with her. She's pretty drunk."

"She's sleeping. She will be fine," he murmurs, leaning forward to kiss my jaw. My body reacts, and I can't help but melt into his touch. "Come back with me. Let me show this body who it belongs to."

God, I want to. I really, really want to. "I want to. I do. But I really think I should stay here with her."

He lets out a groan. "You're such a good friend," he concedes. Really? Because I feel like the worst friend in the world. "Alright, but I'll see you tomorrow night, right?" he asks, brows furrowing. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Of course." I give him a smile, and it kills me to be letting him go.

"Sleep tight, Princess. I'll miss you." He grips my chin and leans down, kissing me deeply. I'm a sucker for his touch, so I part my lips and let him in, eyes fluttering closed.

My whole body hums at his touch. It's over too soon, and when he steps back, I find myself wanting to pull him back in.

"Goodnight, Ava."

"Night," I whisper as I watch him walk out the door. Why does it feel like that was a goodbye, like this will be the last time I see him?

What are you doing, Ava? Why are you pushing him away after he just said you were his?

Because I don't want to hurt more than I already do. Because I don't want to see the look in his eyes when he realizes there can't be anything between us. That it was all a nice little fantasy, but reality is here, knocking at the door.

I'm spiraling, not sure what to do. I want to finish out the week and enjoy my time with him, but I know if I'm in his presence when things end, I'll get on my knees and beg him to stay. To stay with me. To love me. To choose me. But that's an impossible choice to make, and it's unfair of me to leave it all on him.

I can't make him choose.